SPR INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE INVITED SYMPOSIUM: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEXUS BETWEEN ALCOHOL AND HIV/AIDS FOR PREVENTION: RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

AIDS and Behavior, devoted a special issue to addressing the nexus between alcohol and HIV/AIDS (Vol. 21(2)-Suppl, November 2017). This issue focused on how alcohol use and heavy drinking impacts HIV/AIDS both in terms of increasing risks for acquiring and increasing progression of the disease. Based upon recent research conducted throughout the world, we can conclude that there is a causal relationship between drinking and acquisition of HIV. This roundtable discussion will highlight the current state of our knowledge regarding this nexus and provide an overview of key gaps in knowledge that remain. A second area of discussion will focus on how to create the prevention focus within the prevention to treatment continuum to address the AOD and HIV/AIDS nexus. This includes recognition of the differing needs among different sub-populations, how equal access for prevention is addressed, and the need to tailor prevention interventions for special populations. Our third area of discussion will focus on both international and U.S. priorities for funding and the existing infrastructures of resources that are envisioned to address this nexus. Directions for future action and research will be discussed, in context of the existing body of research, policy, and practice that exists. Invited speakers for the roundtable will respond to these key areas and time will be set aside for audience participation.

Chair: Brenda Miller, PhD, Prevention Research Center/PIRE

Discussants:

Thomas F. Babor, PhD, Professor, UConn Health, Department of Community Medicine & Health Care

R. Scott Braithwaite, MD, MS, FACP, Chief, Division of Comparative Effectiveness and Decision Sciences, Professor of Population Health and Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine

Edwin D. Charlebois, PhD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Co-Director of Methods Core, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies

Niranjan Saggurti, PhD, Director, India Office, Population Council

Jean J. Schensul, PhD, Senior Scientist/Founding Director, Institute for Community Research, Professor, Department of Community Medicine, UCONN Health Center